A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Toulouse vs. Pamplona for Food, Attractions, Nightlife, and Old Town

Should you visit Toulouse or Pamplona?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Toulouse and Pamplona can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Toulouse

Toulouse is a friendly, relaxed, and dynamic city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

Pamplona

Pamplona is a elegant, laid-back, and historic city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the nightlife, food, and hiking.

Toulouse and Pamplona: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Toulouse or Pamplona?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Pamplona than Toulouse. While Toulouse is larger than Pamplona, Pamplona has more sights and attractions for tourists. Pamplona is more popular for its hiking, while Toulouse is known for its museums, food, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty. Pamplona is more touristy than Toulouse and is popular for being the home of the Running of the Bulls Festival. It is also home to The Running of the Bulls Festival. Toulouse is popular for its impressive old town, many museums, and delicious local cuisine.

How is Toulouse different from Pamplona?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Pamplona and Toulouse. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Toulouse or Pamplona?

Toulouse is a well-known place for its sights and museums. Also, Pamplona is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

Toulouse offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. There is a long running history with countless landmarks and museums. Highlights include Basilique Saint-Sernin, Place du Capitole, Muséum de Toulouse, and Fondation Bemberg.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Pamplona. Although most people visit in July for the Running of the Bulls, throughout the year there are some interesting museums and sights around town. You can check out the Cathedral of Pamplona, the Museo de Navarra, and the main plaza in town, Plaza del Castillo.

Is the Food Better in Toulouse or Pamplona? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Toulouse is terrific for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Pamplona is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

For foodies, Toulouse is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. There are many unique regional recipes that make use of poultry, cold meats, and foie gras. Toulouse sausage, cassoulet, Poulet à la Toulousaine, and Foie gras d’oie are all popular local dishes.

Pamplona has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. Local cuisine includes lots of fresh vegetables like mushrooms, artichokes, asparagus, and onion. You'll find many unique dishes in the area, and you shouldn't leave without trying the txistorra (sausage), revuelto de setas (eggs and mushrooms), and ajoarriero (cod).

Is Toulouse or Pamplona Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is excellent in both Toulouse and Pamplona.

Many people head to Toulouse for the nightlife scene. You'll find a large number of students in town so the nightlife scene is active and fun. For the most lively atmosphere head to Carmes, Saint-Cyprien, or Place Saint-Pierre.

Pamplona has plenty to do after the sun goes down. There's a good sized university population that keeps the nightlife active around town. The Old Quarter is likely where you'll find the most going on, particularly around Calle San Nicolás and Calle Estafeta. Earlier in the evening the crowd is pretty young, but as the evening passes you'll find the crowd matures a bit.

Is Toulouse or Pamplona Better for its Old Town?

Toulouse is a well-known place for its old town. Also, Pamplona is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its historic old town charm.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting Toulouse. The old town is filled with terra-cota buildings and pedestrian walkways. The area flows out around the Capitole and is crossed by the Garonne.

Pamplona has an old town worth visiting. You'll find elegant buildings and grand plazas around the Old Quarter.

Is Toulouse or Pamplona Better for Hiking?

Pamplona is great for hiking. However, Toulouse is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Pamplona for the hiking trails. It's a stop off on the famed Camino de Santiago, so if you want to walk part of the route, this is a nice place to explore.

Toulouse is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Toulouse or Pamplona?

Toulouse is a well-known place for its shopping opportunities. Also, Pamplona is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping areas.

Toulouse is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. There are many great shopping districts around town including Place du Capitole, The Saint Georges district, and Rue Alsace Lorraine.

Pamplona has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. You'll find some good markets around town. It's also fun to shop for local handicrafts or souvenirs to remember your trip by.

Is Toulouse or Pamplona Better for Families?

Toulouse is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Pamplona is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Toulouse is a very kid-friendly city. The city's known for its space industry so the La Cite de l’Espace (Space Museum) is a favorite attraction for kids and adults alike. You can also visit Aeroscopia, the airplane museum. La Halle de la machine is a truly unique and impressive playground. The city also has many other museums and outdoor spaces to explore.

Pamplona is a family-friendly city. The city is very green, with many parks and gardens where kids can stretch their legs. There's also the Pamplona Planetarium and several museums that relate to environmental education.

Is Toulouse or Pamplona Better for Couples?

Toulouse is a well-known place for its romantic activities. Also, Pamplona is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for couples.

Toulouse is a very popular place to visit for couples. There are many beautiful parks, gardens, and walking paths. Make sure you take a stroll along the Canal du Midi and visit Jardin Japonais Pierre Baudis. This is also a great city for visiting a spa.

Pamplona is a good city for couples to visit. Although it's most known for the Running of the Bulls in July, the city also has some interesting sights at other times of the year. Couples can walk around the city walls, or explore the many parks in town. There are also some interesting museums.

Is Toulouse or Pamplona Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Pamplona is great for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Toulouse is not a good destination for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Pamplona. Backpackers are drawn to this city during July for the Running of the Bulls festival. It's also a stop along the Camino de Santiago, which brings in a young, budget-oriented crowd.

Toulouse is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not a major stop off for many backpackers in Europe so you won't find as many hostels as you do in other cities.

Is Toulouse or Pamplona Better for Students?

For students, both Toulouse and Pamplona are good places to visit.

It's common for students to visit Toulouse. You'll find a diverse student population with many international students.

Pamplona is a good city to visit for students. This is a quiet city, which appeals to some students. The laid back atmosphere makes it a nice place to relax and learn.

Is Toulouse or Pamplona Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Toulouse and Pamplona both offer good public transit to get you around.

While Toulouse offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are a large number of bus routes that travel both locally and regionally.

Pamplona has a few public transit options. There's a comprehensive bus system around town.

Is Toulouse or Pamplona a more walkable city?

Toulouse and Pamplona are excellent when it comes to walkability.

Toulouse is a very walkable destination. Within the city center it is very walkable and easy to explore on foot.

Pamplona is very walkable. It's a stop off on the Camino de Santiago, so many people arrive on foot. It's also an easy city to explore on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Toulouse Worth Visiting? and Is Pamplona Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Pamplona or Toulouse?

How long in Toulouse or Pamplona?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Toulouse or Pamplona to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Toulouse than Pamplona because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Toulouse, and 1-2 days is enough time in Pamplona.

Families should spend more time in Toulouse than Pamplona. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Toulouse, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Toulouse than Pamplona. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Toulouse that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Pamplona than Toulouse if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Pamplona.

One day in Toulouse or Pamplona?

The city of Toulouse offers food and shopping. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

The city of Pamplona offers food and shopping. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Toulouse or Pamplona?

Toulouse is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Toulouse, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Pamplona is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Pamplona, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Toulouse or Pamplona?

Toulouse is a popular choice for travelers. It's no surprise that food is why people visit. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Pamplona is a popular choice for travelers. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Toulouse or Pamplona?

Toulouse is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that food is why people visit. Visiting the old town is also a must. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

Pamplona is a great place to explore. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Historical Tours in France, The Best 10-Day Tours in France, The Best 3-Week Tours in Spain, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Spain.

When comparing the travel costs between Toulouse and Pamplona, we can see that Pamplona is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Toulouse Expensive? and Is Pamplona Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Toulouse or Pamplona?

Toulouse has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Pamplona. When comparing the sizes of Toulouse and Pamplona, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Toulouse or Pamplona?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Toulouse or Pamplona in the Summer?

Both Pamplona and Toulouse during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Toulouse for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Pamplona in the summer for the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Toulouse is generally around the same temperature as Pamplona. Daily temperatures in Toulouse average around 22°C (72°F), and Pamplona fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

In Pamplona, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Toulouse. In the summer, Toulouse often gets more sunshine than Pamplona. Toulouse gets 275 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pamplona receives 209 hours of full sun.

Toulouse usually gets less rain in July than Pamplona. Toulouse gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Pamplona receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Toulouse or Pamplona in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Toulouse and Pamplona. Many visitors come to Toulouse in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, most visitors come to Pamplona for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene during these months.

Toulouse is around the same temperature as Pamplona in the autumn. The daily temperature in Toulouse averages around 15°C (60°F) in October, and Pamplona fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

Toulouse usually receives more sunshine than Pamplona during autumn. Toulouse gets 161 hours of sunny skies, while Pamplona receives 144 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Pamplona receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Toulouse usually receives less rain than Pamplona. Toulouse gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Pamplona receives 155 mm (6.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Toulouse or Pamplona in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Toulouse as well as Pamplona. Most visitors come to Toulouse for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Additionally, the winter months attract visitors to Pamplona because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Toulouse is cooler than Pamplona. Typically, the winter temperatures in Toulouse in January average around 6°C (44°F), and Pamplona averages at about 8°C (47°F).

In the winter, Toulouse often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Pamplona. Toulouse gets 88 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pamplona receives 85 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Pamplona. Toulouse usually gets less rain in January than Pamplona. Toulouse gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Pamplona receives 183 mm (7.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Toulouse or Pamplona in the Spring?

Both Pamplona and Toulouse are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Toulouse because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Also, the activities around the city are the main draw to Pamplona this time of year.

In April, Toulouse is generally around the same temperature as Pamplona. Daily temperatures in Toulouse average around 12°C (54°F), and Pamplona fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

Toulouse usually receives more sunshine than Pamplona during spring. Toulouse gets 178 hours of sunny skies, while Pamplona receives 141 hours of full sun in the spring.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Pamplona. In April, Toulouse usually receives less rain than Pamplona. Toulouse gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Pamplona receives 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Pamplona and Toulouse